Found at the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, Singapore emerges as a captivating city-state that defies expectations. This modern metropolis is a harmonious tapestry of innovation, cultural diversity, and natural beauty. Imposing skyscrapers punctuate the skyline, while verdant parks and gardens provide an oasis of tranquility amidst the urban bustle. Singapore’s streets buzz with energy, as locals and visitors navigate a seamless blend of tradition and modernity.
For its Asian counterparts, Singapore was not known to be a shopping haven for those who are looking for cheap bargain goods because there were other Asian cities that offer cheaper options. But strolling through the streets and corners of Singapore reveals the locals’ love for shopping as evident on the rows of malls and stalls that offer great catches for the shopaholic. There’s the posh Orchard Road, the culture-hubs Chinatown and Little India, the bargain haven Bugis, the eating haven Clarke Quay, and the corporate center Suntec City.
But if there’s one thing Singapore is being known for when it comes to shopping, it’s the cheap electronic gadgets and equipment one can get. They’re sure to be of good quality and not the poor imitations other Asian countries offer. Singapore also offers the best global brands in fashion and shopping. One fave place we always go to is their Ikea store that showcases the best household and office fixtures from Europe.
It’s even safe to shop in Singapore. And mind you, you get to avail of those travel tax incentives as a tourist without much hassle. You can get 3% refund from goods and services you avail as long as you get the shopping cheque which you can refund from the mall customer service booth or at the international airport. The trademark of every shopping junction in Asian cities is haggling and Singapore is not spared of that, fortunately. With boutique shops and shopping arcades left and right, you can easily compare prices and seek for the lower price than their competitors.
Because Singapore caters to various nationalities, there are places for Chinese, Indians, Malays, Eurasians and Europeans. For Filipinos like me, one mall that stands out is Lucky Plaza along Orchard Road. It’s not as classy as the other malls in that same road but it is famous for being the favorite meeting place of Filipinos working and living in Singapore.
Quick tips/suggestions
Every time you shop for more than S$300 in any Tax-Free Shopping stores, make sure that you get your shopping cheque for your 3% refund. If you want to know more about this, you may contact 2256328 so you can get details and further instructions.
Most of all, like any good shopper, plan your travel during the season of bargains. In Singapore, that’s the Great Singapore Sale that almost everyone is anticipating each year. It’s usually scheduled in June or July, so try to be there when it happens.
As a seasoned shopper, make sure you have coins and small denominations with you for easy shopping, particularly in shops with no available online transactions. Having dollar coins in your pocket may come handy, especially when you plan to take the subway. Some of these malls are connected in the subway, so it’s easier for you to get from one mall to another.
Also, know the background of the place where you are going to shop. By finding that out, you will know what you need to take with you, what to wear and how to schedule your itinerary.
Best Way to Go Around
Buses and subways are very much convenient, even when you carry loads of bags. But they might distract other commuters so try to get a cab where you can safely transport all your belongings to your hotel or to the place where you stay.
For tourists who are on their first visit to Singapore, take the Hippo tour where you can hop on and off from one tourist destination to another. It will even take you to a tour of the city so it is very helpful and enjoyable to take. Singapore Airlines is giving a similar service with their shuttle buses carrying tourists around Singapore.
Malls usually open at 10:00 am and may close to as late as 11:00 pm. But if you go beyond that time, you can always go to Mustafa, the 24-hour grocery and department store.
For more information, know about the trips or shopping schedules at www.tourist.com.sg. You’ll find tips on the best way you can go around the city at www.visitsingapore.com.
Orchard Road
Orchard Road was named as such because it used to be vast plantations of pepper and nutmeg. It is a long strip of malls and hotels. You would actually need a day or two just scouring every department store and arcade in Orchard Road. Fronting Istana Park is Plaza Singapura that has the Carrefour and other shopping finds. Across it, behind Istana Park is the Park Mall. If you’ll walk along Orchard Road you’ll find Tanglin Mall, Meridien Shopping Arcade, Centrepoint, Galleria, Forum, Midpoint, the Promenade, Orchard Point, Orchard Emerald, Orchard Plaza, Takashimaya, Ngee Ann City, Tangs, Wisma Atria, Far East Plaza, Lucky Plaza, Shaw House, Hilton and Mandarin Gallery.
The list seems endless and one can get overwhelmed by such big names, neon lights and coffee joints near these malls. It’s a great shopping experience if you know how to budget your money and your time. With that in mind, list down what you want to buy, the shops you want to visit and the budget you will allocate for such. Then, just choose which shops in the malls or which malls you will spend more time rummaging for the best bargain.
You can start at 10:00 am till night. There are hawkers where you can fill your stomach and get some rest due to exhaustion. If you feel dizzy with all the walking, fitting and haggling, re-energize with a short stop at the park and let the fresh air and the trees calm the throbbing in your head and the ache in your ankles.
Chinatown
There’s no mistaking for the colorful rows of shops and Chinese lanterns. Ascending the escalator from the MRT to Pagoda Street is the best welcome one can get from Chinatown. You can see a wide array of goods from shirts to keychains, from posters to postcards, from the common buys to the rare ones. What’s more, you can buy a hodgepodge of things for only S$10. I got 24 keychains for an S$10 package while others sell them at a higher rate. For the same amount, I got a cap, a pen and keychain, and a paperweight. Not bad, huh.
When buying cloth, bed sheets or pillowcases, you just have to be discerning because some seem to be similar to those sold in Bangkok, which you can get at a cheaper price. If the shop has business cards available, try to ask for one so you will know how to find your way back if you decide to visit the shop in the future.
But Chinatown is not just all shopping. There are tourist destinations like the colorful Hindu temple and the Muslim mosque. There are also foot massages and spas available in the area, a good respite from walking and carrying those shopping bags.
Little India and Mustafa
One thing that surprised me when we visited one Indian shop was that the salesman said there’s no need for customers to haggle because they give an honest price. “We’re different,” he said, “we don’t give a very high price and let buyers haggle. The price we give is just the single price that one should take or not.” Well, other stores allowed us to haggle so that left me wondering whether what he said was a general statement that applies only in Little India or just in his own shop.
Bangles, spices, silks and home decors mostly fill the alleys of Little India. It was drizzling at that time when we went there but good thing shops are close to each other and mostly housed in buildings that kept us dry the entire time. However, because the shops are enclosed you wouldn’t miss the strong scents of their spices and garlands.
A few walk away from the Little India complex is a Hindu temple which is also a tourist attraction. Further down the road is the famous Mustafa Center. The building is cramped and is filled with various goods. From grocery items to household stuff to clothes and electronics, you’ll find almost everything in this building. This place is known for its very cheap catches and for its 24-hour operation. It’s a stopover for the Hippo tour so it’s convenient to go to Little India and Mustafa.
Bugis
There are two faces of Bugis: the cramped and noisy Bugis where the cheaper goods are sold and the air-conditioned and well-lighted Parco Bugis Junction that connects to a hotel. We went to Bugis at nighttime and it was filled with young and old trying to get the latest fashion finds and dinner at some hawkers. The smell of durian filled our nose throughout our shopping venture. But for an authentic street shopping ambiance, Bugis still offers that to every tourist craving for some shopping adventure.
Two days after, in broad daylight, my friends and I went to Parco Bugis Junction, just across the Bugis market. I was amazed at the wide alleys, the glass roofs and the beautiful interior. Goods are a bit expensive here compared to its rundown counterpart. We were trying to get our pictures taken inside Parco Bugis Junction but one saleslady asked us not to take photos of her shop.
Clarke Quay and Riverside
Clarke Quay and Riverside seem to be all food and river. The neon lights at night are a major sight that you wouldn’t think this is also a shopping stop. Clothes, souvenirs and jewelries are just some of the great finds in Clarke Quay.
These areas come alive at night because of its great dining places and the cool breeze from the riverfront. A stroll down Clarke Quay or inside Riverside is less stressful because of the friendly and carefree ambiance of the place.
Apart from shopping, there are great performances and attractions at Clarke Quay and Riverside that are worth checking. You can even get a river ride up to the Merlion and then back to Clarke Quay.
Suntec City and Marina Square
What could be a better shopping spree than one spent in three malls linked together? Suntec City houses the corporate offices. But it also has an array of restaurants and shopping boutiques. Across Suntec City is the City Mall that links Suntec to Marina Square.
Many international and popular brands are found in these malls. Throngs of people flock to these malls as a stopover on their way from their office to the MRT stations. Suntec City is considered to be the biggest in Singapore divided into Galleria, Tropics, Entertainment Centre and Fountain Terrace while Marina Square boasts of a Cineplex and a bowling arcade.
Then from there, one can walk towards the Esplanade and view the beautiful Merlion and Fullerton Hotel. At night, the attraction is the dancing fountain at the center of Suntec City where bands sometimes have live performances and entertainment acts.
This trip was taken before Marina Bay Sands was finished. An updated post on Singapore can be found in my Singapore Revisited blog post. You can also find my other recent Singapore posts here.